University of Virginia Library

Letter from Charles N. Tenney to Adelaide E. Case, 3 December 1861

I owe you more than
a simple apology for neglecting
to write the sweetest being God
ever made (I am not flattering, my heart
tells me so) but perhaps your throne
of beauty "may be a throne of
mercy and its occupant may
perchaner be lenient toward
an humble subjects and forgive
me for this time. Shall I act
the stately and say, "Forgive me,
my Case, and hereafter I will be"?

But, dear Addie, I will strive
hereafter to be more punctual,
It is not because I did not wish
to write that I have not sooner
answered your letters and acknowl-
edge the recipt of your beautiful
present, but for reasons which
are in themselves "cogent," as a
lawyer would say, (Now is that
the word? I sawit used in that
way any how,) The weather has
been very severe, for the past - few
, weeks, (the boys are making such an
uproar I can seurely concentrate my thoughts)
and we are still in our thin
Summer tents and we are rather
crowded, Imagine how twelve
men would occupy the little
room in which I staid at your
home, and you can have an idea
of our situation.

my health is very good. never better
in my life. I will own dear
Addie, that it is for your sake
that it have been so particular
in regard to my health, as I have
been, for previous to my visit at
your happy home, I considered
myself friendly and alone. Perhaps
I should have said until I made
the auquaintance of your noble
brother, for I owe to him the happi-
ness of meeting you and the
consequent (to me)interesting) correspondend

Capt Asper gave me the beautiful l
present you so kindly sent me, I
cannot thank you too much, or show
you gratitude enough for this express- ion
of your regard for one. How can I
repay you? I can assure you that
it is a very useful present, and that
I will try to win your lasting favor,

You called yourself my “Ohio Sister”.
Indeed Addie, you are, any more
than sister. and I hope to prove my-
self worthy of a sister's love. May I hope for it?

You asked one what I thought of
the supercedure of Gen. Fremont. Now
Fremontalways was a favorite of mine
and I think think that the Government
has done an irreparable injury to the
loyal people of Va. , in listening to
the slanders of Frank P. Blair, and
in the consequent removal of Fremont
from the command of the noble army
which he alone as I may say, organised
He won the love of his men, and
challenged the admiration of the world.
Gen . Halleck will hardly come up to
the mark Fremonthas made.
I am heartily glad Fremont's Body-Guard
took the course they did, and urged their
being mustered out of service. But

you know.
We soldiers must be chary of comp-
laints of the doings of the cabinet.

You ask me if Camp. Warren is as
beautifully situatid as Camp Dennison
I do not think it is. Still the situation
is the best that could be found.

I do not know how soon Halwill
come home, probably not until Wood
returns. I shall be most happy
to accompany him when he does
come, and to make you a visit.

Really I guess I shall have to byanother sheet.